Minor League Update

Games of Thursday, April 18

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Pitching Prospect of the Day:Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K; Fastball will only be average at major-league level; changeup has deception but will play close to average; curveball is a hammer with serious strikeout potential; not far from being major-league ready.

Chun-Hsiu Chen, 1B, Indians (Double-A Akron): 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 K; the bat has some juice, but I saw him against Kevin Gausman, and he did not have a chance to catch up with major-league velocity on that night. He has a swing that can get lengthy and he is no longer catching; tough major-league profile.

Alex Meyer, RHP, Twins (Double-A New Britain): 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K; Meyer, who was acquired for Denard Span, has big-time stuff, but his overall future will be tied with how well he is able to command his pitches; 16.0 IP, 13 H, 3 ER, 7 BB, 19 K.

Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K; Odorizzi, an athlete who normally repeats his delivery well, struggled in the beginning of the game to find his release point. As the game wore on, he was able to right the ship and miss plenty of bats with his fastball/curveball/changeup arsenal.

Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs): 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K; was sent to Triple-A to refine his command of all pitches; great sign for the Rockies, who could use a starting pitcher with Pomeranz’ pedigree after their hot start.

Rob Rasmussen, LHP, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K; small frame with two breaking balls; Rasmussen has a low 90s fastball, a slider/curveball that are still developing, and most believe he will be shifted to a bullpen role at some point.

Matt Reynolds, SS, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 2-5, 3B, HR, R, 3 RBI; With well-below-average power and speed, Reynolds will eventually have to make the move to the right side of the infield. He has solid-average contact ability and gap power.

Enny Romero, LHP, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K; fastball is an easy 6, average curveball, and fringy changeup; Romero could be a monster in the late innings, or even a mid-rotation starter if he can figure out the changeup.

Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 3-4, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB; the bat has a chance to be more than plus, but his overall role will be tied to whether he is able to stay behind the plate; .358/.426/.623 with 53 at-bats.

Blake Smith, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 3-4, 2 2B, R, RBI; Though he may profile best as a fourth outfielder, Smith has the potential to have a solid-average hit tool with average power.

Jonathan Villar, SS, Astros (Triple-A Oklahoma City): 3-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB; plus runner; displays easy defensive skills; still out of control defensively; at the plate, he displays contact and power ability, but they are still gaining polish.

Michael Wacha, RHP, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K; fastball has been up to 95; curveball has taken steps forward as a professional with plus potential; plus changeup; proving that stuff can hold up as a starter; has taken steps forward since being drafted.

Travis d’Arnaud, C, Mets (Triple-A): d’Arnaud has a broken bone in his foot. It is another injury setback, but I’m certainly not going to label him as a lost-cause prospect. He has had injury questions thus far in his career, but his stock is still bright.

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Definitely a bad day all-around for the principals in the Mets-Blue Jays trade. Syndergaard gets knocked around, d'Arnaud has broken foot and Dickey pitches very well but leaves after six with back/neck strain.

Definetely interested to see if the Ks hold up for Wacha at AAA. Is Ks something to watch for more at AAA since batters seem to have better ct%? What the hell is up with uber-hyped Rosenthal in the Stl pen? Is a demotion and back to the rotation to get him back on track an option?

Yes; triple-a is filled with players who do not have the skills to stick on a big league roster. However, these players have the necessary baseball instincts(plate discipline in this case) to continue to play at a high level professionally.

I do not get to see many professional games, but I looked up Rosenthal's numbers. I would focus more on the 11 K in 9.2 IP, and the fact that his BABIP is currently .414.